Juve welcomed Mario Mandzukic back into the starting XI after the forward returned from a thigh problem as a late substitute in the weekend win over Udinese.

Matuidi also came in as one of six changes to that team and might have opened the scoring if not for Jose Luis Palomino, the defender throwing himself in front of a goal-bound shot after the France international had brought down Miralem Pjanic's corner.

Higuain dragged the next opening well wide, but the striker found his radar with a carbon-copy chance in the 29th minute.

Brazil forward Douglas Costa sliced through the midfield from within his own half before laying the ball right to Higuain, who fired low and hard across Etrit Berisha to open the scoring.

The Argentina international went close to a second before the break, curling a fine effort around the far post as Atalanta survived to the interval without further damage.